HIGH PRICES. 53 



benevolent designs of our Government are consummated by these pension- 

 ers upon the pubUc treasury ! 



Had they the will so to do, it would be no difficult matter to put a stop 

 to all such exportations. The departure of any one of these companies 

 for the mountains, is a thing too difficult to be effected unknown and 

 stealthily. It becomes public talk for days and even weeks previous. 

 Scarcely anything would be easier than for those whose business it is, to 

 keep on the look out, and enforce the law to its full extent upon each of- 

 fender. A few examples of this kind would interpose an insuperable bar- 

 rier to the further prosecution of an illicit traffic in the manner it is at 

 present carried on. A few faithful public officers, and attentive to their 

 duty, regardless of fear or favor, would soon accomplish an object so de- 

 sirable. 



In subsequent pages of this work I shall have occasion to notice a few 

 of the many evils resulting from this criminal neglect, — but at present 

 forbear further remarks. 



Our arms were now put in order for immediate use, — each individual ap- 

 portioning to himself a good supply of ammunition, to be ready at all times 

 in case of attack. Guards were ordered to be constantly on the alert. 

 The company was divided into two parties, — one for day and the other for 

 night guard, and these again were subdivided for alternate relieves, — thus, 

 one of each subdivision serving a day and a night, and the reserve the 

 day and night succeeding. The day-guard consisted of only two persons, 

 upon duty every other day, but the night-guard numbered ten, — two being 

 on duty for two hours were then relieved by the two next in succession, 

 and they by the next, and so on. 



Strict orders were also given to prevent any from leaving camp, or part- 

 ing from the caravan while travelling. In fact, every thing began to as- 

 sume a warlike aspect, as if we were really in danger and apprehensive 

 of an immediate rencounter. 



Se\eral boxes of clothing, &c., were also opened for such as wished to 

 purchase. But every article disposed of was sold at an enormous rate : 

 tobacco bringing from one to three dollars per lb., according to quality ; 

 butcher-knives, from one dollar to one fifty each; hose, one dollar per 

 pair ; shirts, from three to five dollars each, according to quality ; blank- 

 ets, from twelve to sixteen dollars ; coats, from fifteen to forty dollars; 

 coarse shoes, four dollars per pair; six-penny calicoes, fifty cts. per yd.; 

 beads, one dollar per bunch, etc. These were of an indifferent quality, 

 and afforded the vender some three or four hundred per cent, advance 

 upon purchase-price. In fact, with regard to prices, conscience had no- 

 thing t(j do with the matter. 



